by Gina Scarpa

 

This week's episode of Rocco's Dinner Party features an interesting twist: two of the three contestants are related. Twin brothers Fabrizio Carro (executive chef, Quattro NYC) and Nicola Carro (executive chef, Quattro Miami) take on Ninamarie Bojekian (chef/owner, Ooh La La Catering and Events).

 

In the signature dish challenge, Nicola makes handmade tagliolini "Bomba" style... for all the non-Italians, it's pasta. Ninamarie chooses to make smoked rosemary infused lamp chops, and even has wood chips to help get that seriously smoky flavor. Fabrizio decides to do a lamb chop "Scottadito". Scottadito means "burning fingers" so those chops better be hot!

 

This whole episode seemed like it was leading up to the twins duking it out for $20,000 but Rocco makes a bold move and sends Nicola packing. Rocco felt that if Nicola had tasted his dish before serving it (which he didn't), he would've made some adjustments. Ninamarie ends up winning the signature dish challenge, despite the fact that the brothers thought her lamb was overcooked.

 

This week's dinner party theme is a traditional Italian meal, which certainly gives Fabrizio the advantage.

Ninamarie chose the formal dining room and let designer Jes Gordon know that Little Italy is her inspiration. Fabrizio goes with the terrace and wants to give Rocco's guests the feeling that they're literally in Italy.

 

Rocco's dinner guests arrive as Ninamarie and Fabrizio work to get their dinners ready: Caroline and Albert Manzo (Real Housewives of New Jersey and owners of The Brownstone), Joey Fatone (best known for N'Sync and Dancing With The Stars), Sara Gore (television host... who?), Tammy Pescatelli (comedian, appeared on Last Comic Standing), and Silvano Marchetto (chef and owner, Da Silvano).

 

At Ninamarie's dinner party, she serves a lemon and rosemary infused martini to get the guests loosened up and ready to eat. She sends out lots of appetizers including eggplant caponata and grilled zucchini. She also serves cockles and mussels, chicken scaparelli, and veal with peaches. Things are topped off with basil infused fruit.

 

Over at Fabrizio's dinner party, he gets things going with cocktails and appetizers, such as eggplant, caponata, and crostini. After serving meatballs, he has his servers clear the table and make way for his lasagna with bechemel sauce. Because Sara doesn't eat starch, he made a special plate for her for every course, which she really appreciated. Next, it's poached white fish and potatoes and the dinner ends with panna cotta al cafe.

 

It seems the guests can't decide whose menu they like more. I would think Fabrizio had the better dishes but the diners weren't totally blown away - unless they're just trying to be difficult.  Rocco was not happy that Ninamarie forgot Sara all together but his guests really loved her mussels and her Little Italy setting.  He thought the bar was set high with Fabrizio's early courses but thought his lasagna lacked flavor.

 

The winner of this week's dinner party is: Fabrizio!

 

Rocco's Dinner Party airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

 

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